Give the Gift of Health this Season.

Steven is a member of our community

Steven is a member of our community, a neighbor, a friend. Yet, like many others, he is uninsured and in need of a place to turn for the care he deserves.

A lifelong outdoorsman who worked construction most of his life, Steven describes himself as “a simple man.” But after losing his wife of 33 years in 2019, life became anything but simple. “It still hurts,” he says quietly. He had struggled with heart issues for 20 years, but his health began to further decline. He suffered chronic chest pain, shortness of breath, and “blood issues” left him too weak to work or enjoy the things he loved, like hunting and fishing.

A friend of his cousin’s wife told him about Healing Hands Health, and that conversation changed everything.

Steven’s first appointment at Healing Hands Health was in the dental clinic in April 2024. He hadn’t seen a dentist in years and needed significant care that included replacing old restorative work, treating decay, and extracting damaged teeth. “The appointment was eye-opening. It went great,” he recalls. “They explained the long-term plan: a better fitting denture, some fillings, and other work I needed. They cleaned my teeth, showed me what to watch for, and explained how oral health connects to heart health. I’d never heard that before.”

Soon after, Steven visited the medical clinic, where Dr. Lloyd conducted a thorough exam and ordered tests that revealed the need for a cardiac specialist. The Patient Navigator at Healing Hands secured an appointment through Project Access, a network that connects low-income and underinsured individuals to specialty care. Steven underwent a cardiac catheterization, which showed two heart valves required stents. However, the procedure was delayed due to dangerously low blood levels. To address this, our Community Health Worker and Patient Navigator team coordinated ongoing iron infusions and arranged a referral to a gastroenterologist to determine the cause of his internal bleeding.

Steven also received vision care services; a comprehensive eye exam and the first prescription glasses he’d had in years. “I didn’t realize how much I was missing,” he said with a smile. “Now I can see clearly again.”

When Steven shared that he was experiencing challenges in other parts of his life, Skye, Healing Hands’ Community Health Manager, stepped in to help. She supported Steven as he took steps to address food insecurity, manage his electric bill, and navigate the process of applying for Virginia Medicaid benefits.

From his first visit in April 2024 to securing Medicaid benefits in October 2025, access to healthcare and wraparound services has empowered Steven by providing the tools to move forward and help build a stronger foundation for his health and overall well-being.

Through every appointment and each new challenge, Steven found support, hope, and healing. “I looked to Healing Hands for help and found the services I needed, answers to my questions, and people who were willing to help and guide me to the path that was best for me.”

Your support provides access to compassionate and comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral, vision, and supportive services that restore health, hope, and dignity.

As the end of 2025 approaches, we invite you to support this important work and to join us in our mission: To glorify Christ by providing quality, community-supported, comprehensive care to individuals who are underserved in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Your tax-deductible donation will help ensure that every person who walks through our doors receives the compassionate, comprehensive care they deserve.